It is truly amazing how the Lord works. If you had told Connie and I that we would once again be serving on the front lines of missions through mission aviation, we would have smiled and told you, “that chapter in our lives has passed.” We so truly believed that it had…and then…
You know…that is one of the greatest statements when we are serving the Lord, “and then.” And then something that we never imagined happening…happens!
In October of 2016, we were contacted and asked to consider the Country Director position with Mission Aviation Fellowship in Papua New Guinea (follow this link for a more detailed review of the assignment). We turned down the idea as a “distraction.” We were very happy with our ministry on the Asia-Pacific Region and in Manila, and we didn’t see any need for change.
And then…a contact in December, and then again in January of 2017, finally got us to really thinking and praying about whether the Lord could be in this request. After discussions with our Regional Director and the Global Mission Director (Nazarene Missions) we were given the green light to pursue additional discussions with Mission Aviation Fellowship.
In February we travelled to visit the Mission Aviation Fellowship operations base in Mount Hagen, Papua New Guinea, met with the PNG National Board for MAF, and then visited the leadership / support team, office and facilities in Cairns and Mareeba, Australia. The trip was very enlightening and the Lord’s hand was evident.
The rest has now become history! We returned to the U.S. and had a very heavy speaking schedule through May and June, finishing with the quadrennial General Assembly in Indianapolis, Indiana, the last two weeks of June.
Now it has been meetings, orientation, paperwork, finalizing details with the Nazarene Missions and working through the transition with our World Mission Communications Team.
The days are short! I (Todd) had the incredible opportunity of officiating my Niece’s wedding in Central California last week – what an honor and privilege. This next week we are spending a few days with family for a family reunion, having an open house / reception on Sunday, July 30th, (see this link for details) packing up our bags and heading to the new assignment on August 3rd.
Your prayers are greatly appreciated! Please pray for:
- Wisdom as we make the necessary arrangements prior to our departure.
- Family relationships and time together. It’s challenging when we spend so many months away from our biological family. We dearly love them and miss them greatly when we are apart.
- The transition as we learn a new culture, language, and mission team. That God would give us sensitivity and wisdom way beyond ourselves as we learn our new roles and understand the ministry that He has called us to.
- Resourcing. This is a partner-funded mission assignment. We truly believe that what God calls us to He will provision. This has been our experience for all of the years that we have been serving in missions. We just need to be faithful in praying for connections with those whom God is leading to partner with us in the very tangible area of finances.
So many of you have travelled this mission journey with us for many years, for than 26 now. We are so very thankful for your words of encouragement, prayers, and financial partnership. We couldn’t be on the field, crossing borders and barriers with the gospel, without you here praying and paying the price. THANK YOU!
We had a favorite verse that we shared in our publications back in 1991 when we first started our journey into Mission Aviation. We are proclaiming it once again as we close:
12 I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has strengthened me, because He considered me faithful, putting me into service. 1 Timothy 1:12
Rest assured that we will be sending out more updates as we begin this new chapter….and be prepared for hearing the incredible stories of…. And Then God Showed Up!!!!
Todd & Connie Lou...from Papua New Guinea...to you! 